Correspondents
The Rivers government has directed its attorney-general and commissioner for justice to auction all vehicles that were impounded for violating the current 24-hour curfew in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The government also warned residents of ward 20, Amadi-Ama in Port Harcourt local government area (LGA) and Mgbuosimini, Rumueme in Obio/Akpor LGA to desist from flouting the directives on lockdown.
“Government will deal decisively with residents of these areas if they are found to default again” read a statement by Paulinus Nsirim, the state commissioner for information and communications. The state government said anyone parading exemption letters except the one issued by the governor is doing so at his or her own risk as such permits are invalid.
It directed those interested in the auctioned vehicles to get more details to watch out for details in The Sun, The Nation and Vanguard newspapers,” he said.
“Government will deal decisively with the residents of these areas if they are found to default again,” it said.
“Anyone parading exemption letters except the one issued by the Governor is doing so at his or her own risk as such permits are invalid.
“The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice has been directed to auction all the vehicles that violated the lockdown order.
“Members of the public who are interested to buy the auctioned vehicles are to watch out for details in The Sun, The Nation and Vanguard Newspapers.”
Nyesom Wike, governor of the state, had earlier directed that any hotel or taxi found operating during the lockdown should be impounded and auctioned.
It was gathered that at the Elekahia Isolation Centre, over 200 persons were arrested and over 20 vehicles impounded by different teams enforcing the lockdown.
Wike arrested some personalities who were not on essential duties but were found moving around with their police escorts.
But he pardoned a pregnant woman who violated the lockdown order on compassionate grounds.
The governor said the violators would be prosecuted.
To cushion the effect of the sit-at-home order across the state, Wike, on Wednesday, distributed foodstuffs to residents of Ahoada West and Emohua local government areas.
The governor, who was represented by the Chairman of Rivers State Palliatives Committee, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, urged leaders of the area to ensure that the foodstuffs get to the people.